I am Iron Man

I went to see Iron Man with my auntie Chrissy tonight. It was really good. Robert Downey Jr. is cool as hell. Somone sat beside us with two kids who were about 5 an 6 and not ready to be taken out to the movies. We had to change seats cause the little shits just wouldn't shut up(But Auntie Chris talked a bit too, which is not something I like to do when I go to the movies).You have to stay till the end of the credits to see a kick ass extra scene.

Ian sent me this picture of Billy Corgan from the Iron Man premiere.

Before the movie there was a trailer for The Incredible Hulk. This is a screenshot in which you can clearly see Sam the Record Man.

Just for Laughs

I have always wanted to go to Montreal for the Just Pour Rire comedy festival. My dad recently moved there, so with a place to crash I'm out of excuses.

Two shows jumped right out at me

Apatow for Destruction
Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen and more!

Just For Laughs brings you Hollywood’s hottest dream team this summer! Don’t miss a unique night of stand-up comedy as writer/director/producer Judd Apatow (The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up, Superbad, Forgetting Sarah Marshall) assembles a veritable all-star team with one of Canada’s biggest exports, Seth Rogen (Knocked Up, Pineapple Express Superbad), Craig Robinson (Pineapple Express, The Office), Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) and a line-up of some of the most buzzed about film and TV stars in comedy in a very special Just For Laughs event.

/webService/representation/culture/en_US/festivalCode/MTL/evenementId/71

South Park Live

Matt Stone & Trey Parker
What began as a low-budget animated short is now considered one of the “Best 100 TV shows of all time” - Time Magazine. Join Emmy Award-winners Matt Stone and Trey Parker as they take you inside their hilarious groundbreaking animated series South Park with this uncensored, no holds-barred event complete with clips from the show and more!

So I bought tickets. How could I miss seeing my Idol Seth Rogen? And Live South Park? Crazy! I can't wait till July!

/webService/representation/culture/en_US/festivalCode/MTL/evenementId/69

NIN The Slip - HALO27 Free Album!

The new Nine Inch Nails record is out, and its free NIN The Slip

I'm listening to it now. The last album was an instrumental piece, and I really liked a lot of the tracks.
This one is a rocker with some interesting stuff. I'm gonna take it to the gym and let it rock my workout. I have Japanese lessons tonight. I like to go to the gym and then to class, but the later you go, the more packed it is and then you have to deal with the nasty sweat-fog around the treadmills.

There is a new Love Guru trailer. It gives a much better idea of what the movie is like than the first trailer.

Matt's Toronto Trip

My plan to meet up with auntie Chrissy and see Iron Man didn't work out, so we rain checked for sometime early this week.

Friday night I went to the airport to meet my friend Matt Stone from San Francisco, and he was delayed at immigration for 40 minutes because he didn't know my address (always know the address of where you are going to be staying when traveling abroad).

We took the TTC back downtown and had dinner and beers at Epicure by my place on Queen W. Back at my place we hung out with the guy down the hall and burned a few, had some tequila, and went to The Mod Club. We got really drunk and went out for Chinese Food. I got sick in the bathroom of the restaurant and again at home and once more the next morning.

We went to Java House for breakfast. I brought him to Kensington Market to show him the Hot Box Cafe, we got some Notorious B.I.G. blunt papers and checked out the new Canadian made Vaporizer. We ordered a smoothie and went out back, it started to rain so sat under the covered area rolled one up. Deidra called and was finnished work so we walked over to meet up with her at Queens Park. We found her and walked into the park for the Toronto Freedom Festival. The rain was light but it made the prospect of hanging out for very long unlikely. We didn't even have anything rolled! A few people had tents set up, everyone else was huddled around the trees (providing no protection from the rain). Deidra had a great idea, Why don't we get a tent!?! We walked to Canadian Tire and I bought a 4 person tent for 50$. I gave Matt my Canadian Tire money as a souvenir of his first trip to a Canadian Tire. When we got back to the park the rain was still coming down, we set the tent up quick, and we were hanging out inside in no time. Deidra was put on rolling duty. Matt Thompson showed up with some delicious apple juice. I talked to Colin and he said he was on his way down, but then he never got around to it. We forgot to bring munchies, and that sucked cause al of the vendors were gouging us cause they knew stoners can't resist the force of the munchies. Dee rolled a huge fatty for 4:20. I had the idea to get our treats after we burned. Everyone else must have had the same idea, cause the line was 70 people long! I gave up, and good thing I did, I ran into Marc Emery, Canada's Prince of Pot. I told him we had met before in Timmins and he remembered hanging out at Nim's place. He introduced me to his wife, it was cool. I totally forgot to ask him what was going on with his extradition case. When I got back to the tent, we made the call to pack up and get some food. As soon as the tent was down and packed, just as we tried to fold up the ground tarp, the wind picked up and the rain became torrential. We got totally soaked, and ran away from the park. We canceled our plans for dinner and said goodbye to Deidra.

Back at my place I threw our clothes in the dryer and Matt and I sat there in our jockeys for the most uncomfortable 45 minutes of our lives.

No, not really.

Ian came by and gave us a ride up to the Rehearsal Factory to check out the Stormalongs rock.

We finally ate at Hero Burger, Matt got a Poutine. he asked how authentic it was, I would give it a 6 out of 10. It was Poutine pour des maudit anglais, I wish I could have showed him how Chez-Nous rocks a large Quebec.

The USA does not have ketchup chips, or all dressed ruffles, or caramilk bars or crispy crunch, so we munched out on all of that junk and watched Trailer Park Boys and pooched out.

Sunday we had breakfast at Stem, shopped around Queen West. We went to see the Jays play Chicago White Sox. We got a free bobble head on our way into the skyDome. Sweet! We were in the 500 level, but our seats were right behind home plate, it was awesome. Super Sweet! We wanted to take the Steamwhislte brewery tour, so we left the game in the 5th with the jays up 4-3. The brewery was cool, we had a few brews, tasty. When we left the game had just ended and the score hadent changed, so we didn't miss anything, and JAYS WON!

We barely made it to the airport on time. It was too late to check his bag so he left me with a six pack of Steamwhistle and some maple syrup.

I had a great time with Matt, but it wasn't long enough. I'm looking forward to crashing on his sofa in the near future.

Why So Serious?

The Dark Knight is going to be an awesome movie! I saw the trailer today at the Scotiabank Theatre after an insane scavenger hunt. It was a huge viral marketing event that started with this Joker website. Paul showed up at my place and I convinced him to come with me to Nathan Phillips Square and await instructions. Then we got our faces pretty and walked from my place along Queen West. We got alot of looks. When we got to City Hall, hardly anyone had makeup, maybe 5 or 6 people. One guy was done up real good, purple suit, green hair, face made up. We hung around and waited for the clues to apear on the website, there was just a clock ticking down to 5:30. No one had a partner waiting by the internet except a few people. We had Ian, who would have been there, were he not bringing on the PAYNE. The first clue brought us to Winston Churchill, and the whole crowd of 100 people followed. It was nuts. the second clue led us down queen street, but then people started heading down University towards King St.. Then it became a huge clusterfuck as everyone ran all around like chickens with their heads cut off. Eventually we got back on track and found the payphone across from the Rex and the we went down the alley beside Deidra's place, and ended up in that park up Beverly St.. They had Two clowns running the show, they gave out Joker cards and raffle tickets. They only gave one card to each person and then a few minutes after we got there they headed down the street to the Scotiabank Theatre. We had to check our cellphones, and security passed us over with metal detector wands. The trailer was great, and the raffle was for a 35mm print of the trailer, with instructions to share it with everyone which would require a Telecine.

This is not the Trailer I saw today but I will post it as soon as it goes up:

Six days to the big march!

I finally went to the movies with Ian and Heather Petrus to see Forgetting Sarah Marshall. It was so funny! Jason Segel wrote the screenplay and also stars. A guy who can't get over his ex? Yeah, I can relate.

I went to my Moms yesterday for a bbq. Uncle Lewis was there, it was good to see him and talk. I asked if he had read my blog and he had, he noticed that there were no comments. Believe me I've noticed too, I have been writing here for two months and no one has made any comments. I guess no one reads my blog.

I made plans with Auntie Chris to go see Iron Man on Friday.

Stormalongs prepare to go back into the studio

The Stormalongs rehearsed in the Floyd Room last night. They are working on new songs for a recording session that will take place early next month. Death Swan is 20 minutes long, and it got played twice (although not back to back).
They decided to meet again for rock next Saturday.
My friend Matt Stone is coming next weekend from San Francisco, so we can go see the Jam! I like to bring world travellers to see The Stormalongs. I have managed to bring Koji, and Mike W. and now Manimal!

Car Fuckers!

I can't wait to see the Kids in the Hall live! I still have to go pick up my tickets, I guess that's my task for tomorrow.

Happy 4/20

The stoner holiday season begins today with 4/20, ending on May 3 with the march.

I had a good day, saw the most of the gang.

Granny Mo brought me back some tequila from Mexico. Thank you so much!

"Pork and Beans" NEW Weezer in stores 06.24.08

weezer has a new self-titled record out June 24th. Hear the first single Pork and Beans in its entirety here.

It is further proof that Rivers is a God. Album-wise It is much more blue than green. The lyrics are very funny and self-referential, which hasent really been done since Pinkerton. I knew the other band members were contributing vocals on this record and as for this track it sounds great, the harmonies, that "Ahhhhhh"! I can't wait to see them play this live!

I transcribed the lyrics
Pork and Beans
They say I need some Rogain to put in my hair
working out at the gym to fit my underwear
Oakley makes the shades that transform a Tool
You'd hate for the kids to think you lost your cool

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think

everyone likes to dance to a happy song
with a catchy chorus and beat so they can sing along
Timberland knows the way to reach the top of the charts
Maybe if I work with him I can perfect the art

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think

I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care
I don't care

I'mma do the things that I wanna do
I ain't got a thing to prove to you
I eat my candy with the pork and beans
excuse my manners if I make a scene
I ain't gonna wear the clothes that you like
I'm fine and dandy with the me inside
one look in the mirror and I'm tickled pink
I don't give a hoot about what you think


I picked up tickets to see the White Sox vs Blue Jays when Manimal comes in May. It's Bobblehead Day! I am really looking forward to his trip. It's gonna be short, but we are gonna get lots done.

In my capacity as Karl for the Stormalongs I also went to pick up a block tickets for the Stormalongs show at the Kathedral on May 8th, 10$. Ian and I went to check out the jam session in the "Hell Pit". I gave Colin the tickets and did some rhythmic sexualized dancing!

SAUSAGES! SAUSAGES! SAUSAGES!

I am going to see the Kids in the Hall at Massey Hall in June, a lifelong dream of mine.



I got bad seats but that doesn't matter, I'm gonna see the Kids! Mike W is gonna check em out in San Francisco, I knew he couldn't miss that show.

Speaking of California, I wish I could go to Coahella this year. I say that almost every year, but they just added PRINCE to the lineup! Roger Waters the next night, crazy! Next year I am gonna plan on attending, cause the lineup is always solid.

2008 Big Box Office Summer!

Lots of reasons to go to the movies this summer. Here are the movies I am excited to see and why I want to see them.

April 18
Forgetting Sarah Marshall
It looks funny

April 25
Harold and Kumar Escape From Guantanamo
I loved the first one, a classic stoner comedy. Directed by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schlossberg the original screenwriters, this movie promises to deliver plenty of NPH.

May 2
Iron Man
Robert Downey Jr. rocks Chaplin style!

May 9
Speed Racer
Kar-Fu! The first movie the Wachowski siblings have directed since the Matrix Trilogy.

May 22
Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
140 minutes! No nazis, plenty of snakes.

June 13
Incredible Hulk
Hulk smashes up Toronto uhh, no, it's New York(Not!).

June 20
The Love Guru
I already know for a fact that this is the funniest Mike Myers movie ever. His new character Guru Pitka saves the Leafs from another year without the cup.

June 27
Wall-E
I have a tradition of bending my mind with hallucinogenic drugs for Pixar films, but I'm gonna check this one out straight.

July 2
Hancock
Will Smith is total popcorn, he must be consumed at the movies!

July 4
Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson
A documentary about my hero and the greatest writer of the 20th century.

July 11
Hellboy 2: The Golden Army
Guillermo del Toro is awesome.
July 18
Dark Knight

July 25
Untitled X-Files Motion Picture
"Scully, the sexual tension is palpable" "What are you talking about Mulder?"
August 1
Choke
Loved the book

August 8
Pineapple Express
Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg are FUCKING GENIUSES, and have probably written the greatest stoner/action film of all time!
Click here to see the red band trailer!

August 15
Star Wars: The Clone Wars
Is it possible this animated movie will be better than the prequel trilogy? Give me the death of Jar Jar Binks!

Did I miss something you are looking forward to? September brings the Toronto International Film Festival, and I can't wait to see what amazing films we will get this year at the peoples festival.What a great year to eat popcorn and see movies!

A taste of Pork and Beans

Amazon has a little bit of weezer's new single Pork and Beans here! The single comes out on the 22nd, let's see if it leaks sooner.

I have been eating better. I have to, today I worked my ass off at the gym and i was totally starving! I had butter chicken on rice and broccoli with white cheddar... Tasty!

Stormalongs @ Cameron House 04/12/08

Best show of the year(so far)! Finally a Saturday night show, attendance was great. The Cameron House is so close to my place, Paul and I hung out till it was time to go and watch the rock. At the Cameron, I ran into Nom first thing in the door. Always good to see Nim, he said Flynn was considering coming(but did not, sadly). Tasha showed up with Adrian Bendle, who I haven't seen since I lived with Nim and he was traveling around on a motorcycle. There are two parts to the Cameron House, a bar in the front with some tables and room in the back with a stage and some tables. The show was at the back of the bar, and there was a private birthday in the front room. They had huge platters of delicious looking sandwiches. Paul convinced Nim to grab us some sandwiches from the party and he did!

The band was rocking! Matt couldn't stay in one place and rocked all over, even off the stage at some points. They still haven't worked the new stuff into the set, but since most of the people there haven't seen the band before, it doesn't matter. The older songs sound really tight and the crowd seemed to respond well.

After the show I started talking to Tasha, we moved into the front room so we could hear eachother. She was hungry and those sandwiches were just staring at her, so she ate one. Then someone brought out a birthday cake and we all sang and the birthday boy(I think his name was Alex or Andrew) made a speech. They passed out chocolate cake and we were kinda stuck accepting it, rather than explain we were crashing. It was nice talking to Tasha, she's smart and fun and cute as hell.

Mike W. had to miss the show, he was on his was back to California. I will miss you Mike, It was good getting beers with you and hope to see you again real soon. It was Mike's idea to add my blog as an RRSS feed for my Facebook notes, which means more people will probably read my blog, and thats the point, isn't it?

Damn Ticketmaster

I woke up to get Radiohead presale tickets, the public onsale is tomorrow. The show is at the Molson Ampatheatre, which is an expensive ticket. I didn't get any tickets, Ticketmaster sucks fucking balls. I gave up after it only came up with GA lawn tickets(35$ which ends up being 50$ after "service charges") I wanted good seats which end up being 90$ with service charges. I would have to buy two tickets cause I don't want to go alone. I can't afford that, not without a job.

On that note I brought my resume to Friendly Stranger today, I hope I can get a job there, it is so cool.

I'm not gonna try for Radiohead tickets tomorrow, they are too expensive and I would rather spend that money to see Weezer or the Pumpkins somewhere this summer.

Mo-Mo's new Guitar

I know people at Google so you would think I might be able to fix my login problem with blogger. Nope. If I did have that power I would use it to make youtube stop sucking.

I went to see my Mom today. She said Chloé reads my blog in England, but that couldn't be true, because she doesn't leave comments (Chloé always has interesting observations).

I went to watch a bit of the Stormalongs jam session. Mo-mo Morello got a new guitar. He bought it with money he made selling black-market off-season girl guide cookies. Keep rocking man.

Missing San Francisco

I'm gonna try to get Radiohead tickets on Friday for their show at the Molson Ampetheatre in August.

I was watching the attempted Olympic Torch relay though San Francisco. Fuck China, Free Tibet! CBC was broadcasting from the Embarcadero, and I felt a longing for the City by the Bay. Man I really wish I was in California. Can't do it though. I gotta get a job first.

I'm feeling so much better, working out, eating right, sleeping well... I think it's time I get a job.

Weezer (Red Album) in stores 06.17.08

Weezer's third self-titled, sixth studio record; weezer a.k.a."The Red Album" out June 17, "Pork and Beans" will be the first single!

This means a tour will be announced soon. I haven't seen the Weeze since 2005 when they were supporting their album Make Believe.

I really want to see them in Japan, that would be crazy. I will settle for Toronto.

Many Brothers

I was hanging out with my brother Paul, we went downtown and when we got back to my house, the Brothers Gibson were waiting outside. we were hanging out in my room when an officious knock was heard at the door. Surprise, surprise! It was the Brothers Waychison! So Brothers Chabot, Gibson and Waychison all hung out for a little bit.

Evan Almighty is not funny

I was really down on myself for not going to the gym early, I was tired from the show last night. I just hung out all day and tried to watch Evan Almighty (Steve Oedekerk is a fucking hack!)I made some dinner and then decided I had to go to do some running.
When I got there I saw Deidra working out as I came in. I hurried to get ready cause I didn't want to miss her, and just as I was filling my water bottle she finished on the machine she was on. We walked on the stair machine, it was fun. Deidra's smile brightens up my day. She had already been working out for a while so she left and I ran for a little bit. It was perfect timing at the gym for sure.

The Stormalongs, at Stone's Place Toronto 04/03/08

The guys rocked tonight, but again no one saw. The audience was made up of the other bands playing and their girlfriends (The other bands, not the Stormalongs girlfriends). Paul was recording the show, and Mike and I had many beers. The venue is Rolling Stones themed, and the opium den style really made for a cool atmosphere.
On a sad note, Morello has lost his guitar, it was misplaced after the last rehearsal. It will be missed but Mo-Mo is strong and will live to rock another day.

Happy Birthday Matt Thompson

This really was a great day. I got to see all of my favorite people. Deidra called me and I grabbed a coffee with her. Iantxted me not far from my place Dee-Dee went to take care of some things and Ian & I went for a drive. By the time we were back, Dee was finished and I got to hang out with her a bit longer, I walked her home since she lives right next door to the gym. I ran for a half hour and watched the Simpsons, good workout. I got back to my house and Ian picked me up and we went to get Colin at the airport. Once Colin was home safe Ian drove back downtown and dropped me back at my place. Mike W is in town, HOORAY! I gave Mike a call and we went to Sneaky Dee's for a beer, then we went to check the Stormalongs jam session. It's Matt Thompson's 26th birthday. I remember his 19th, that was when he got the Shlong-Bong. So being a Birthday jam, it had a very special vibe. My brother Paul was there recording, and I got to rock my scream on Kierkegaard.

So I really got to see all the people I love and care about today, I'm going to sleep a happy dude.

Bendham P.I.

People often mispronounce my friend Jagger's name. It's Jag as in Mick Jagger, not Yog as in Jaromir Jager.

Yogurt came to Toronto to buy a Nintendo wii, which are still in short supply in London, Ontario. We went to the Future Shop at the new Toronto Life building. We checked out Best Buy, which is the same company, but they had sold out that morning. I bought my Nintendo wii at the same best buy on November 19th 2006 and they still cant keep them on the shelves! So he picked up the wii along with Mario Galaxy(best-game-ever!), wii play, and Sega's Master Baiter Bass Fishing. He has a new TV and he had his girlfriend are both excited to play their new system. He kept looking at the box, even tho I have one. We played my nintendo till late.
In the morning we met Matt and his girlfriend Anna and Nim at Sneaky Dee's. Yogsy and I both had the eggs benny, fantastic. I told Nim I had been going to the gym and he waited for the punchline.
Yogi drove back to his lady with the wii, triumphant.

Personal Trainers are cute but expensive

When I signed up for the gym two weeks ago I paid for 6 sessions with a trainer so I could learn to use the weight training equipment. The sessions cost about 22 bucks each. At the end of the sessions my trainer and I went over my current goals and what it would take to achieve them. She figures about 3 months should do it, then she tells how much 6 months at 3 times a week, I guess to make the price for 3 months sound like a deal. 69$ per session, only 4454$, or 12 easy payments of 396$. Fuck that! It only makes sense if you are a fat lawyer or some other executive who has no reason to go to the gym unless he has an appointment with someone. I can go running every day and do the weight training on my own three times a week.

"But I saw it on Ebay"

I used to work at Sam The Record Man. Every day, without fail, someone would ask me for The Beatles HELP! or Pink Floyd's Pulse or the TV series Perfect Strangers. I would tell them those titles were not available on DVD and the customer would then call me an idiot and say that they had seen it on ebay. People were burning DVD's from VHS and selling them on Ebay, and people would come in looking for them and call me out when I told them there was no legitimate release. I used to go to Ebay with the customer and point out the homemade packaging or the shipping location (Hong Kong). "But ____ is so popular! How could it not be on DVD!?!" the foolish customer would ask, not understanding the complexities of studios release schedules. Eventually the customer would be convinced and head home, giving up on their quest to harass every video store in the Yonge/Dundas area for a DVD that did not exist.

But wait!
On a recent trip to HMV, I realized that these titles have now all been released. Just as people begin the switch to Blu-Ray DVD!



Now the only thing left to wait for is Let It Be. Hurry up Yoko!

Smashing Pumpkins in Rolling Stone Hot List

When your hot, your hot. Rolling Stone magazine thinks you should check out the Superchrist video and so do I. If you are still looking for the mp3... it's right in here: superchrist mp3.

Pumpkins Say "Fuck You(An Ode To Virgin Records)"

It's a great day to be a Pumpkins fan. The band has been touring in Australia & New Zealand, and has just sued their former label. Here is the press release:

March 24, 2008 - The Smashing Pumpkins file lawsuit against former label Virgin Records

"We fought hard for the right to be in control of how our music is used, to avoid situations like this kind of crass commercialism and exploitation. Labels like EMI are no longer running the show, and we won't be bullied by those in the 'old' music business who consider every artist to be easily expendable. Those days are over." - Billy Corgan

THE SMASHING PUMPKINS have filed a lawsuit this week against Virgin Records, their former record label, for the unauthorized exploitation of the band's musical works and image as well as for devaluing the market value of its music and deceiving its fans.

Filed in the Superior Court of the State of California in Los Angeles, the suit states that Virgin Records-without the band's knowledge or permission-endorsed and sponsored a worldwide promotional marketing campaign by Amazon.com and Pepsi for both companies to promote and sell Amazon and Pepsi products for financial profit.

The suit contends that the Pumpkins-one of alternative rock's most successful artists-have vigilantly overseen their music and likeness, which "convey a message of honesty, artistic integrity and alternative non-main stream culture" and that Virgin Records has "irreparably harmed the group, their reputation and goodwill with their fans."

The Pumpkins would never have granted such authority to Virgin, or any other entity, because they govern the use of its name, likeness, and musical works in conjunction with any commercial affiliation or sponsorship. Therefore, the suit indicates "Virgin has deceived and confused the public into believing that Plaintiff is affiliated with the promotion and/or that Plaintiff itself is participating in the promotion."

The Pumpkins are demanding, as the suit states, "a full and complete accounting of all funds received by Virgin pursuant to the Pepsi promotion" and the band is "entitled to an award of punitive damages against Virgin in an amount according to proof."

The suit maintains that "Virgin's action, unless and until enjoined and restrained by order of this Court, will cause great and irreparable injury to Plaintiff, as it continues to falsely attribute Plaintiff's sponsorship and/or affiliation with the promotion, and continues to provide Plaintiff's musical works at a price below the market value of the works, thereby damaging Plaintiff's reputation and reducing the market value of Plaintiff's musical works."

Says Billy Corgan: "'It's a frustrating situation honestly, to be treated so poorly by a label where we had so much success. Recently, they have ignored our pleas to give our fans special editions of our old albums, telling us they weren't interested. So there is a tremendous amount of hypocrisy involved with them turning around and using us like this."

"It's another desperate attempt," says Jimmy Chamberlin, "by an anachronistic business to generate revenue however they can, legal or illegal. They have neither the wisdom to accept their irrelevance, nor the intelligence to do something about it." He adds: "Just goes to show that they will do about anything for money. Seems they have long forgotten how to actually 'work' for a dollar."

The Pumpkins, who last year released the gold-certified Zeitgeist album on Martha's Music/Reprise, are currently on tour in Australia. The band has created one of the most acclaimed bodies of work in music history. Formed in Chicago in 1988, they released Gish, their influential (and platinum) debut in 1991, which was followed by more platinum and multi-platinum albums including the nine-times platinum Mellon Collie And The Infinite Sadness and the four-times platinum Siamese Dream. The pivotal group's many hits include "Disarm," "Today," "Cherub Rock," "1979," "Tonight, Tonight" and "Bullet With Butterfly Wings"-songs that defined the alternative music era and continue to resonate on modern rock radio, influencing a whole new generation.

Isn't that awesome? They wanted to release special editions of the old records and the label didn't want to. What a bunch of stupid assholes!

And as for the future of the Pumpkins, from Jimmy Chaiberlain himself:

March 24, 2008 - Message from Jimmy

Hello music lovers.

As the tour winds down I would just like to say what a pleasure and an honor it was to play for so many of you. I try to never forget that my job is a sacred privilege. Music, the thing that binds you to me and all of us to the Universe is my light.

Let me also say that this band, The Smashing Pumpkins, will continue to write, record, release, and perform AS LONG AS WE ARE ABLE!

Some of you may have read bits of an interview that was done in confidence by yours truly in which I say that the Pumpkins probably won't record cd's anymore. What I meant by this is this: Although we may not use the "album" or "full length cd" as a format anymore, WE WILL WRITE AND RECORD MUSIC UNTIL WE ARE DEAD!!!!!!!! WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY!!!!!!!!

I could go on about how I was stolen from, violated, lied to by some ignoble journalist, but what's the point?

I choose light.

Love Jimmy.

That is some great news Jimmy! Music is changing so fast. It really is a brave new world. I can't wait to hear what the Smashing Pumpkins come up with. I hope a Canadian tour is planned for sometime this year.

I Am Legend

I went to see I Am Legend at the new Yonge/Dundas AMC 24 with my brother Marc today. They're showing 3rd run movies (almost or already out on dvd) for free to test the staff and promote the opening. All the screens have digital protectors, and let me say, it looked awesome. I think I found my new home. The seating was more comfortable and better placed than the Scotiabank/Paramount Theatre. I am going back this weekend when they open with fresh new movies, for sure.

Workout time

I worked out with Deidra this morning, it was fun. The gym has this crazy machine that works all the muscle groups, I have been going through it with a trainer for the past week. My trainer Jamie really pushes me hard (It is her job). Deidra and I actually have the same trainer which is cool. This was the first time I would attempt the machine without the trainer so I was glad DD was there. I warmed up with a run, and then I went through the machine-thingy with DD as my motivator. She really kept me working, cause I think without someone watching me I wouldn't push as hard. It was actually more intense cause I was trying to impress Deidra. So once I finished she warmed up on the bike and I did some stretches. Then she went through the machine and I was Tony Little. Then she showed me some exercises Jamie had taught her. It was a really good workout and I look forward to the next one.

Drillbit Taylor

I saw Drillbit Taylor today. It was really funny. It's about 3 geeks who hire an ex soldier to protect them from a bully, unknowing he is homeless and out to fleece them. It was written by Kristofor Brown & Seth Rogen. Seth is brilliant, he wrote Superbad with Evan Goldberg. He is my hero! The kids were funny and Owen Willson was hilarious! One of the kids looked a lot like I did in grade 9.
This is me in Grade 9.

Bronken Bowl

The bowl broke on my bong. It's a pull choke so its easily replaced. It's actually happened 3 times in the past 6 months, but the last two times I replaced it with the cheapest bowl possible. It's no wonder they keep smashing.

We stoners often use an electric coffee grinder or "Bud Buster" to cut up Marijuana. They get jammed up with crystals, and the lid wont come off, and then the button wont even go down. I've seen it happen before to others, and mine just stopped working.

So I went to Roach-o-Rama in Kensington. I picked up a nice heavy bowl, sturdy, and I also got a metal hand grinder with a tricomb catcher, so the crystals wont get lost and go to waste.

Well it turns out the bowl wasn't the right size, so I'm gonna go back tomorrow and exchange it. The grinder works excellent.

No Disability C.P.P. for You!

Considering your age, education and work experience, we expect that you should be able to perform or retain a job that is suitable to your limitations.

The Stormalongs @ Clinton's, 03/19/08

The guys played Clinton's, it was a good show. Not many people were there. Nim showed up to film the show. Paul was supposed to come but ended up at the wrong bar (classic). They gave out some Cd's after the show, so I guess we have a few more fans. I think they need to play a show on a weekend and promote the hell out of it, that would be a good move for the band.

now watch Guru Pitka and laugh!

My new bed

What a good night sleep. I wouldn't have even gotten out of bed if I didn't have to pee so bad! I love my new bed, even if it takes up most of my room.

I went to my first Japanese class. It will defiantly require me to do a lot of reading between classes in order to keep up. I really want to do well so I can speak with Koji in Japanese when I visit him later this year.

Bed assembly

I had to run back from the gym to meet the Ikea delivery guys. I spent the rest of the day assembling my new bed. Paul came over, we burned and he helped me with the drawers that go in the bottom of the bed.

We went to see the Stormalongs rehearse in the Heaven Room. I was so pooched I closed my eyes for a second and when I opened them, Nim was there, it was great to see my old roommate again. It was the longest rehearsal in a while, four hours! I did my patented scream on Kierkegaard.

I'm going to watch Robocop 2 and go to sleep in my brand new bed!

Ikea Sweedesh Meatball Time!

I spent the day with Mom, Grandma and Andy at IKEA. They hooked me right up. My room should look just like the catalog when the stuff gets delivered tomorrow. I want to say thank you so much for everything, to my Mom, I had fun hanging out! Thanks to Andy for being such a trooper and G-mo for being G-mo. You are the best!

Ode to Ikea
Swedish meatballs...
Modular Furniture...
Guys named Sven and Bjorn.

I walked Mom to Union Station, and we walked by Max Payne shooting at 1 King West. The building was all lit up, there were NYPD Police Cars, a SWAT van, fake subway stairs. They were adding snow around the sidewalk. It was cool.

HULK SMASH SAM RECORD MAN!

Sam the Record Man's final film role, in this summer's Incredible Hulk

The Stormalongs Rehearsal We were in the Pink Floyd room, can you tell? We have been runing into trouble with the amps at the Rehearsal Factory, Mo-Mo had the bogus amp this time, last time it was Colin.
The new songs are coming together nicely. Days Alight (Shake the trees) has a crazy cool intro that still needs some work, but it will sound awesome live.
The older stuff was easy as pie, and they rocked through them quick and painless.

The show is next Wednesday at Clinton's.

Rivers Speaks

The new Weezer will be out in June, according to the man himself from weezer.com:

"Hey Weezer punks,
We have one song left to mix and then it’s on to mastering. We should be all done very soon. Then we chill for a minute.
The album will be out in June so with any luck you will hear a new Weezer song on the radio soon. I think I know which song is the first single but I’m not sure so I can’t tell you. I’ll give you some hints, though. It’s one word, starts with a T, ends with an R and contains twelve letters. You should be able to figure it out because you’re smart li’l Weezer fans.
The album is meaty, crunchy and melodic like a good Weezer album should be.
Peace out,
-Rivers"

I can't wait to hear the new album, and Weezer always hits Toronto when touring, maybe I can even catch a Japan date when they go there.

Burn Me Down

I woke up at 8 to meet my Granny Mo at the Eaton Centre. When I went to shower, I smelled burning, so I went to the basement and some asshole left the oven on again. This is the note I left:

"Asshole,
You left the oven on all night, AGAIN
Thanks, now the whole house smells like burning
What are you trying to do, kill us?"

I had a good breakfast before I left the house. Grams gets help with her mac at the apple store. I met G-Mo right on time. We had a coffee and walked around. She had to hurry home so I took the subway back with her so we could try to finish our conversation. Good times.

I got home around noon and Governor Eliot Spitzer was on tv, resigning because of a lapse in judgment. He spent 80,000$ on whores! That's over a 10 year period, but still a rather large entertainment budget.

I made a great ham sandwich, Then I went and joined a gym. Seriously, I joined a gym. I even worked out after I got the tour. I ran on the treadmill for a half hour, felt really good.

My tax refund came in yesterday. I don't get to enjoy any of it, I guess I already did. It all went on my credit card. I was actually considering racking up some more debt with a crazy trip to California. I decided I really can't afford it, but I told Mikey about the good deal at Air Canada, and he booked a flight! Mikey is coming to Toronto for the first two weeks of April! We are gonna have some good times.

I have been having trouble finding the studio version of the new Smashing Pumpkins track Superchrist from Guitar Center's Fresh Tracks. We don't have Guitar Center in Canada. I found it thanks to Davin at Netphoria. I made it real easy with a rapidshare link right here; Smashing Pumpkins Superchrist.mp3

It's a heavy rocker they first introduced at the Fillmore shows last summer. It's evolved since then and it sounds great.

I'm going to be learning Japanese! I signed up for Japanese lessons at the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre. It starts next week. I can't wait to go see Koji in Japan later this year and actually speak some Japanese!

Granny Mo lives right nearby, so I got to hang out with her. We walked to the Jccc and checked it out. They have a huge Daruma doll. I have a tiny one that Koji gave me when he came to visit in February. I made a wish and filled in one of the eyes. When I go to Japan I can fill in the other eye. It only has one eye, like me! My Grandma is really nice to talk to, and she is helping me with a lot of things right now.

I bought some shoes cause I'm thinking of joining a gym.

We sprang forward one hour. If I used my time more efficiently it may have actually affected my life.

I cleaned my bong today. It had developed a nasty stank, which led to nasty tokes. I went to Friendly Stranger and got some Orange Chronic bong cleaner and a new rubber gasket which was surprisingly easy to change. The cleaner got the stink out, thankfully.

I went over to Colin's house tonight. Matt came over too, acoustic jam session styles! They played some Stormalongs songs, and then there was the obligatory lute number(w/solo).

The Breeders, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto Ontario 03/09/08

The fourth Breeders record (the first since 2002) doesn't come out in stores for another month, but they still rocked the Phoenix tonight with mostly new tracks.
They opened with Overglazed the first track off
Mounain Battles. They did a wicked cover of the Beatles Happiness is a Warm Gun. This is a picture of the Breeders rocking their hit Cannonball. Kelley Deal asked if everyone had downloaded the new record yet.

I went to see The Stormalongs jam session tonight. We were in the "heaven" room, which had topless angels on the wall, classy. The heat was cranked, and Colin's amp sucked (it had "no balls"), but the guys rocked it out anyways. Mo-Mo was sick with what could only be described as black death.

I got 50 Aeroplan points in the mail the other day, my first self addressed stamped envelope! Keep em' coming. The plan is to eventually fly to Japan in first class, which is 120,000 aeroplan miles.

Standing in the shadow of the Midnight Mansion, by the snowmobiler who is not supposed to be there, Gibson waits, cold and wet, and just in time for another round of the bowlaroos. Saturday April 14th 2001

Nine Inch Nails Ghosts I-IV

The new NIN is, you guessed it, free! I tried buying the cd version (2 discs and you get to download it right away) for 10$, but the shipping was 13$! Thats 23$, i'd be better off buying my music at the store! So I tried paying the 5$ to download it, but they were having problems with their website, so I finally just downloaded it without paying anything. The future is now.

It would be sweet to see Trent live.

Smashing Pumpkins - Soundcheck, Frankfurt 22/02/2008

I just finished watching the full video, it took me 2 days to download. If you haven't seen this, it's one of the coolest recordings I've seen since the 666Tape. This guy got to watch the band soundcheck a new song, and recorded the whole thing!

There is a 10 minute clip on youtube, a torrent of the full 49minutes is available from zomb.

Jeff Healey passed away, he was 41. We were both born with a rare form of Cancer called Retinoblastoma. It is a Cancer of the eyes that occurs 4 times in every 1,000,000 births. I lost my right eye, Jeff lost both of his. Contrary to what is being reported, he did not die of Retinoblastoma, as he had no eyes. He had a daughter who was born without cancer but his son was born with the disease. Apparently he didn't know having previously had cancer made him more likely to get other forms of cancer. He developed Cancer in his lungs and legs.

Smashing Pumpkins Are Free Agents!

Guitar Center has posted an interview with Smashing Pumpkins Billy Corgan and Jimmy Chaimberlain. The interview is to promote the release of Superchrist, a new studio track available exclusively on a new Guitar Center Compilation Cd offered at their stores. When Corgan is asked about the state of the music industry and the Pumpkins, he answers:

"Well, I’d say the best thing is that we’re out of a label deal – totally free agents. We we’re just talking about how we’re going to start addressing our artistic relationships with the world in a different manner because we don’t have to go through some parental structure of “we don’t like it and it’s not going to sell” – you know? We’re excited about the prospects of sort of being our own business people in terms of how it interrelates business."

Corgan is no doubt referring to Virgin Records refusal to release Machina ii:F&EOMM.
The Smashing Pumpkins began their career with singles on indie labels Limited Potential and Sub Pop, putting out their first record Gish on Caroline(a Virgin affiliate). After Gish the Pumpkins formally signed with Virgin Records, where they released the bulk of their albums.

After Machina: The Machines of God, their obligations to Virgin complete, the Pumpkins offered the label a bonus, Machina ii:The Friends and Enemies of Modern Music. Virgin declined to release it, so the band gave 25 vinyl copies of the record to fans, who spread it over the internet.

The Pumpkins broke-up in 2000, Billy Corgan released a solo record in 2005 on Reprise Records (A Warner Music Group Company).

The Smashing Pumpkins reformed in 2007 and released Zeitgeist on Reprise. On January 1st of this year the Pumpkins released American Gothic exclusivly on the American Itunes store.

With big name acts like Radiohead, Nine Inch Nails, and now The Smashing Pumpkins directly in control of the distribution of their music the future of the industry has never been more exciting for music fans and never more bleak for the Corporate suits.

Weezer, Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto Ontario 08/31/00

I was living at my Dad's house in Parry Sound, it was the summer. I had my first job, washing dishes at Resort Tapatoo. I was on my break reading the concert announcements in the Toronto Star, and I was shocked, I couldn't believe what I saw. Weezer was going to play Toronto.

I got 2 tickets, I knew I could convince Colin it was worth the trip. I actually didn't plan on staying in Parry Sound. I hated the school and I missed O'Gorman. I figured I'd go back to Timmins with Colin and stay at his house till I figured something out. His mom gave the o.k. and the plan was hatched. Colin took the bus to Parry Sound and we partied.

I had a huge bottle of rum, this is Colin and I enjoying Rum and Lemon.


We took the bus to Toronto and went to wait in front of the Phoenix. Some girls were already waiting, and they had an extra ticket which they sold to this guy Mark, who lived across the street. He let us use his bathroom which was great after Colin went for food and came back with Steerburger. we waited out front all afternoon, which was a good idea cause look who showed up:


It's Weezer's drummer Patrick Willson and Weezer's Karl Koch, Karl Koch!Colin was like "Hey Pat! Is it true Rivers wears disguise so fans don't recognize him? Like I hear he wears a fake beard and a Nor'easter!" Pat confirmed Rivers often travels incognito.

The opening act was Dynamite Hack

Weezer played Mad Kow, a rocking track they still haven't put on an album.

After the show we slept outside the bus station. When it opened, Colin tried to wake me and then went inside. I woke up on the sidewalk, looking in the bus station to see Colin asleep on the bench.

We got back to Parry Sound and Roly drove us to Timmins.

Sylvia Gravel Theatre

I have been having trouble uploading to youtube, it sucks so very much. But finally I was able to upload this video from a VHS I captured with my elgato eyetv, a brilliant device I picked up at MacWorld.

The sound is fucked up, but that is youtubes fault, its not a problem with the original capture. I will try to re-upload it at some point.

This is from my VHS copy of the O'Gorman High School performance of "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" back in 1999. This video is of the dedication ceremony for the Sylvia Gravel Theatre, at the time the best "technical teaching theatre" in Ontario, thanks to the best drama teacher ever, JoAnne Donnelly. We performed "Coffee Break"(Thats me being shaken like a ragdoll, and singing at the end!)

I do plan on uploading the other segments on the tape, and maybe even a number from the show.

I love Pizza

I'm trying to score some aeroplan points, so I figured I would take advantage of the latest promotion at Pizza Pizza

"To obtain a Game Piece without purchase, mail a self-addressed stamped envelope including a handwritten essay of 50 words or less as to why you love Pizza Pizza and Pepsi® soft drinks to: Pepsi® 6XTREME™ Contest, c/o Corvision Marketing, 70 Esna Park Drive, Unit 9&10, Markham, Ontario, L3R 6E7."

So I wrote 10 copies of this "essay", and I will mail one a day for the next two weeks. I could win a ton of aeroplan points or maybe a slice of pizza (the smallest prize is a can of Pepsi, lame!). Fingers crossed.

I have to get a job, or something.

On being Blind

I am blind, seriously, legally blind. I don't have a white cane or wear sunglasses, I'm lucky. I can see everything (as long as it is close enough and straight in front of me).
I was born with bilateral Retinoblastoma, a type of cancer in both my eyes. My right eye was removed when I was five years old. My left eye has scaring on the retina from cryotherapy which further impairs my peripheral vision as well as making it very difficult to read, as I must read into my blind spot.
I believe the radiation used to treat the cancer caused me to become deaf in my right ear. Whenever I walk with someone, I take the right side so I can hear them talk and not walk into them. Sometimes the person I am walking with doesn't know this and will end up on my right side causing me to stop and walk around them, accompanied by an explanation of my impairment.
When I am walking on a busy sidewalk I have to be very careful to look all around me to avoid walking into people. I still walk into people all the time, and every once in a while I hit a bike rack, street sign or anything else that might be on the sidewalk. One time I was walking in Kensignton Market and I had a collision with a guy in a wheelchair. I apologized right away "I'm so sorry," I said. "Are you fucking blind?" he yelled. "As a matter of fact I am" I replied. Then he had to apologize to me.
I have no depth perception, so I have always sucked at baseball. I trip over curbs sometimes and pigeons always freak me out cause it looks like they are going to fly right into my face.
Street signs are sometimes too small or too out of the way to read. I can't read the numbers off of houses from the street, so I have trouble finding places I have never been before, especially at night. I am often late only because I had to walk around trying to find a street sign or an address I could see. I have to ask a friend to help read the menu and the bill in a dark restaurant, and I cant find the bathroom if you just point and say "it's over there", I need actual directions.
I can't read TTC maps or schedules so all that planning must be done before I leave the house. I have trouble in subway stations reading signs. Some bus drivers still do not call out the stops on surface routes.
I have trouble at work when I have to read small print. Every job I have had has at some point asked me to read something I couldn't possibly see. Some employers would replace the task with busy work while others have accused me of being lazy and able to see "just fine". I have often had difficulties with employers unwilling to make simple accommodations such as photocopied enlargements. I am often forced to re-explain my situation to managers who either don't believe me or don't care. I have become very frustrated at work because of this. I feel my employers don't want to help me.
My cancer has never been a secret, if anyone has ever asked me about it I have been open and honest. I have not been so forthcoming with my disability and how it affects my daily life.

Getting Started

It's almost the end of February. This is the time of year I like to get started on my New Years resolutions. I wanted to blog more, get in shape, and clean my room.

I have wasted this blog, using it to post a few pictures back in 2006. I never took advantage of the blogging craze and now it's left me in the dust. I have been doing so many cool, blogworthy things and now I could only write about them in retrospect.

Why do I need to get in shape? Cause I'm starting to become a bit of a fat dude. I eat with no regard for portion size or calorie content, which worked fine for that spry youth I once was. I've gained some weight, and people tell me I look "healthy"(beefy). I don't want to get out of control. I need to eat right and exercise. I am reminded of the late Wesley Willis, who said "I'm sorry I got Fat, I will slim down". I once watched him drink homogenized milk by the liter, he never did slim down(rest in peace, Wes).

My room is something else all together.

Super Sunny J

i look good